Coach,
I know it is only July (or should I say already), but it is time to gear up for YEAR TWO of The Texas Way!
I am so grateful and proud of the impact we were able to make in year one!
Across All Sports:
- Student Ejections: Down 13%
- Coach Ejections: Down 12%
- Spectator Ejections: Down 28%
That is unbelievable!
Now that we know what is possible, it’s time to launch YEAR TWO!
Below is the Ultimate Resource on what’s available headed into YEAR TWO and how you can maximize the impact of The Texas Way for your district. Let’s go!
1. A Recommitment Video and Monthly Content.
We have created two new types of content for Year 2.
First, there is a “Recommitment Video.” This is aimed at those schools that completed the Year 1 content and don’t desire to rewatch those videos (though we still believe that the content is worth watching again and provides the strongest foundation for The Texas Way).
This video is available to current users, new users, and TASO. It summarizes the three pillars of The Texas Way and challenges viewers to recommit to the initiative’s work.
Second, we will provide a “Monthly Drop” for all Texas Way users (including TASO). These will release on the 20th of the month prior (Aug 20th for September, etc) Included in these drops will be:
– A short, 3-5 minute video teaching that addresses a specific issue, challenge, or best practice.
– These can be shared social clips, or in their entirety, on SportsYou or another platform
– Graphics and other types of promotional material
– Resources like parent letters or other best practices from across the state
The creation of this content addresses the request from UIL and some of our District of Distinction winners that we have new and monthly content. It also equips you with a new talking point or reason to “stoke the flame” of The Texas Way within their districts each month.
Also, we created a new parent meeting video available for download on The Texas Way Assets page.
All of these resources are available in your dashboard TODAY!
2. New “Engaged” Metrics
With the addition of new content, we had to find a new way to measure engagement within the platform. To give coaches the most flexibility as to what content they watch and when, we will measure engagement by the number of completed videos available.
The number of available videos will change as the year progresses. Please note that more time will need to be dedicated to The Texas Way for your coaches to be considered engaged. During Year 1, coaches only had to watch 35 minutes of an available 53 minutes to be considered engaged.
Now, to be considered engaged, coaches will need to watch:
– 9 or more videos for ENGAGED
– 5-9 videos for SOMEWHAT ENGAGED
– 4 or fewer videos for DISENGAGED
While they will have to watch more videos over the year to be considered ENGAGED, they don’t have to watch more minutes. If a coach were to watch each of the “Monthly Drop” videos (thus allowing them to talk about sportsmanship throughout the year), they would watch approximately 36 minutes.
Alternatively, if a district chose to watch the year 1 videos or the recommitment video, coaches could close the gap and reach ENGAGED by watching the monthly videos released during their season.
If a coach decides, they can spend up to 104 minutes watching 100% of the available videos.
By changing this metric, we incentivize consistent use of the program, thereby increasing the time coaches spend discussing sportsmanship.
3. Middle School Emphasis
The most common feedback we received was, “Our Middle Schools need help.”
To help address this, we are:
1. Working with the THSADA’s JHAMS committee and the THSCA JH/MS Track at coaching school, to hear the specific issues they are facing. We will use this to guide our “Monthly Drop” teachings.
2. We are encouraging all JH/MS coordinators to register for The Texas Way, which will give them direct access to the program.
We will reassess our strategy with JH/MS as the year goes on and at the end of year 2 to adjust for year 3.
4. Our “Ask”
Our ask year’s ask is similar to our ask year 1: UTILIZE. PROMOTE. SHARE.
Utilize the program, promote within your district and online, and share the stories of success you see.
We shared the stories we received in our fall emails, had Google News Alerts set, and created a way for schools to report their victories (see the “News” page on the website). Unfortunately, we didn’t receive many stories. We want to change that this year and need your help.
FAQ
Who registers for The Texas Way?
ADs, Campus Coordinators, Head Coaches, JH/MS Coordinators
Do I need to reregister for The Texas Way?
Only if you changed districts from the 2024-2025 school year.
What will happen to my login from my old district now that I have moved?
Your old account will go dormant and be deactivated due to inactivity. Registering with your new school email gives you access to all the same content as before and ensures your data is shown in the correct district.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Friends, if we are going to do something as BIG and BOLD as making YEAR TWO bigger and better than year one, we are going to have to ALL be ALL IN. We have proven we can make a difference.
Let’s go do it again.
Thank you for being a part of this. Thank you for your work. If I can help you or your district in any way, or you want to tell your story, email me at Mackey@2words.tv.
Mackey